Closure control



Oct. 18, W38, G. W. GARDINER 2,133,614

CLOSURE CONTROL Filed Feb. 2, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet l G.l W. GARDNER GLOSURE CONTROL Get. 1s, 19%

Filed Feb. 2, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 fin/7 ww Patented Oct. 18, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 18 Claims.

This invention relates to closure controlling devices and relates more particularly to door checks. A general object of this invention is to provide a practical, dependable and readily regulable closure controlling apparatus operable to govern both the opening and closing movements of a door or doors.

Certain types of closures such as sliding elevator doors are operated in one direction, say the opening direction, by a positive power means, and are operated in the other direction by a facing and impositive power, such as a spring means. In other types of sliding closures or doors the doors are operated in both directions by positive power means such as cylinder and piston mechanisms or geared electric drives. It is desirable in many installations to control the movements of the doors by devices known as door checks. Door checks having but a single cylin- 20 der and a single control valve have been employed to control elevator doors of the class first mentionedy above, but in some instances have not proven satisfactory for the reason that the single control valve cannot be set to properly control the positive movement of the doors as well as the weaker fading movement effected by the spring means. In some elevator installations of the second mentioned class of doors there is not sufficient space for the installation of the single cylinder type of check which is quite large.

Another object of this invention is to provide a closure control or door check system that is adjustable or regulable to control the movements of the door or doors in both directions, irrespec- 35 tive of whether such movements are effected by a positive power means or by an impositive spring means, or both.

Another object of this invention is to provide a closure control of the character mentioned 4,0 that is compact and capable of use in situations Where there is insufcient space and clearance for the installation of the large single cylinder type checks.

Another object of this invention is to provide a closure control or door check system of the character mentioned that resists or controls the door movement without jarring the doors by suddenly offering a marked increase in the resistance to the speed of their movements.

Another object of this invention is to provide a closure control of the character mentioned that includes two units or checks each capable of controlling the door movement in one direction and each adapted for individual regulation and adjustment, the said units being such that (Cl. 1li-58) they may be mounted in side by side relation and interconnected through their connections with the door operating mechanism or may be independently mounted and connected with the door operating mechanism or the doors whereby the system is adapted for use in Various installations and with various types of closures and closure operating mechanisms. l

Another object of this invention is to provide a closure control system of the character mentioned embodying practical and effective means for operativelyconnecting the checks or units with the door operating mechanism or the vdoors whereby the actions of the units may be accurately related to the movements of the doors to effect the desired results.

Another object of this invention is to provide a closure control system of the character mentioned in which the checks or units each embody a valve disc ported to allow for the controlled by-passing of fluid between the high and low pressure sides of the piston wings during the door movement whereby the movement resisting action of the check varies during diiTerent stages of the door movement, such variation in movement being determined or controlled by the shape and capacity of the ports in the valve disc.

Another object of the invention is to provide a closure control system of the character mentioned in which the valve discs may be ported to provide for any desired or necessary action of the checks or units.

A further object of this invention is to pro- Vide a closure control system of the character mentioned that assures the smooth controlled movement of the doors at safe speeds.

The Various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical preferred form and application of the invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary elevation view of a pair of typical elevator doors and a door operating mechanism illustrating the control system of the present invention operatively connected therewith. Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical or transverse detailed sectional view of one of the units showing the piston at an end of the stroke. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal detailed sectional view of the check unit illustrated in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary end elevation illustrating the connection between the arm and the piston shaft. Fig. 5 is a transverse detailed sectional View taken as indicated by line 5-5 on Fig. 3 illustrating the piston at the same end of its stroke. Fig. 6 is an enlarged View of the control valve assembly removed from the unit illustrating the slidable relief valve and the valve seat in longitudinal cross section. Fig. '1 is a transverse detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 1--1 on Fig. 3. Fig. 8 is a reduced transverse detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 8-8 on Fig. 3 illustrating the piston at one end of its stroke, and Fig. 9 is a View similar to Fig. 8 and illustrating the piston at the other end of its stroke.

The closure control of the present invention is adapted to be employed for controlling various types of doors and is adapted to be used in connection with'diierent types of door operating mechanisms. In the following detailed description I will describe one typical form of the invention as employed in connection with the mechanism for operating a pair of typical sliding elevator doors. It is to be understood that the invention is not to be construed as limited or restricted to the specic form or application of the invention about to be described but that it is to be taken as including any features or modications that may fall within the scope of the claims.

The elevator door installation illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings includes two doors D supported for movement toward and away from one another in a common plane by trolleys I0 operating along a horizontal track II. The mechanism for operating the doors D is in the nature of a pneumatic cylinder and piston mechanism comprising two aligned cylinders I2, a single rod I3 entering the opposing ends of the cylinders I2 and pistons I4 on the rod I3 operating in the cylinders. Conduits I6 communicate with the outer ends of the cylinders I2 to admit the actuating air pressure to the cylinders. The conduits I 6 are under the control of a valve or valve mechanism I1. 'Ihe present invention is not concerned with the details of the valve mechanism I1 and its control and the details of these parts are omitted from the drawings. The means for operating the doors D further includes a hanging lever I8 pivotally supported at its upper end and carrying a pin I9 cooperating with a buck strap 2D on the outer end of one of the doors D. A cross bar 2l is pivotally connected with the lever I8 and extends above the cylinder and piston mechanism to have its outer end pivotally connected with a lever 22. The lever 22 is pivotally supported between its ends and its lower arm carries a pin 23 operating in a buck strap 24 on the outer end of the other door D. An operating link 25 connects the lever I8 with the piston rod I3. In the particular arrangement illustrated a cross-head 26 is fixed to the rod I3 between the cylinders I2 and one end of the link 25 is pivotally connected with Ythe cross-head. The other end of the link 25 Vis pivotally connected with a bracket or tting 21 on the lever I8.

Fig. 1 of the drawings illustrates the pistons I4 in a position where the levers I8 and 22 are substantially vertical and the doors D are closed withy their inner ends in abutment. Upon movement of the pistons I4 toward the other endsof the cylinders I2 the levers I8 and 22 are pivotecl through the medium of the links 25 and 2| to effect outward movement vor opening of the doors D. It will be observed that the means for moving the doors D effects the positive movement 0f the doors in both directions.

move in opposite directions.

The control system or closure control of the present invention includes, generally, a check or unit 30 for controlling the movement of the doors D in one direction, a check or unit 3l for controlling the movement of the doors D in the other direction, and means 32 for operatively connecting the units 30 and 3| with the doors D or the door operating mechanism. The two checks or units 3D and 3| may be identical when connected with the doors D by independent means and when connected with the door operating mechanism to have their levers or arms However, where the units 30 and 3I are arranged in corresponding positions, as illustrated, and are both connected with the same element of, the door operating mechanism certain of their parts or elements bear different relationships to the other parts. I will proceed with a detailed description of the unit 3D, it being understood that such description is equally applicable to the unit 3I except for the changes or differences to be hereinafter described.

The check or unit 3U provided by the present invention includes, generally, a cylinder body 33 having two liquid chambers C and a reservoir R, a wing piston 34 turnable in the cylinder body 33, and having wings W movable in the chambers C, means 35 operatively connecting the piston 34 with the doors D or with the means 32, regulable valve means 36 effecting the controlled passage of uid past or around the wings W during movement of the same in one direction, means 31 for by-passing fluid past or around the Wings W during movement of the same in the said direction to effect a graduated or increasing pressure resistance to their movement and means 38 for freely passing fluid through the wings W during their movement in the other direction.

The cylinder body 33 carries the various elements of the unit 30 and provides or deiines the spaces for the chambers C and the reservoir R. The body 33 is adapted to be mounted in any suitable manner and in any convenient or desired position. In practice the body 33 may be cylindrical in shape and cup-like to have a cylindrical side wall 39 and a bottom or inner wall 40. Lugs or ears 4I may project from the body 33 adjacent its bottom or inner wall 40 to facilitate the mounting of. the unit 3U. The outer end of the cup-like body 33 is closed by a plug-like part 42. The part 42 is cored or chambered to form the reservoir R as will be hereinafter described. A retaining ring 43 is threaded in the outer portion of the body 33 to prevent outward movement of the part 42. A shim 44 and a packing ring 45 may be interposed between the part 42 and the inner side of the ring 43.

In the preferred construction the internal wall of the body 33 is lined with a bushing 46 which defines the two chambers C. The bushing 46 is cylindrical in its general configuration and seats inwardly against the bottom wall 4U to have its outer end adjacent the inner end of the part 42. The part 42 is urged or clamped inwardly by the retaining ring 43 and its inner end presses against the outer end of the bushing 46 through the medium of the valve disc to be hereinafter described. The bushing 46 is provided with two diametrically opposite partitions 41 which project inwardly toward the longitudinal axis of the unit to divide the interior of the bushing into the two chambers C. The opposite sides of, the partitions 41 may be inwardly convergent as illustrated. The bushing 46 is held against rotation by pins 4B seated in sockets 49 in the bottom wall 40 and extending through axial openings 5|! in the partitions 41. One pin 48 may pass outwardly into an opening 5| in the reservoir part 42 to hold the same positioned. The internal walls of the bushing 46 are cylindrical and accurately ground to constitute the outer Walls of the piston chambers C.

The above described part 42 is provided with an annular groove of substantial fluid capacity which constitutes the reservoir R. Posts or webs 53 extend through the reservoir R to connect the opposite end walls of the part 42. The side wall 39 of the body 33 closes the periphery of the reservoir R. The unit 30 is positioned to have itslongitudinal axis substantially horizontal and to have the partitions 41 in a common vertical plane. The reservoir R and the chambers C are occupied by suitable liquid such as oil, glycerine or the like. An opening 54 is provided in the side wall 39 of the body 33 to facilitate the filling of the reservoir R. The opening 54 is normally closed by a plug 55. It is preferred to have an air space 565L in the upper portion of the reservoir R. Replenishing ports 56 are provided in the inner wall of the pari'l 42 to communicate with the lower portion of the reservoir R and to communicate with the lower portions of the chambers C. Check valves 51 are provided in the ports 56 to prevent the escape of fluid pressure from the chamber C to the reservoir R and yet allow the flow of fluid from the reservoir R to the chambers when the chambers require replenishing. f

Means is provided for automatically bleeding gases from the upper ends of the chambers C. Small bleeder ports 58 are provided in an end wall of the bushing 46 to communicate with the upper end portions of the chambers C. The ports 58 extend to the periphery of the bushing 46 and the gas that may accumulate in the chamber C is forced outwardly through the ports 58 and between the walls of the bushing 46 and the valve disc to enter an axial groove 59 in the periphery of the bushing 46. The axial groove 59 communicates with a similar groove 60 in the part 42 which in turn communicates with the upper portion of the reservoir R. v

The wing piston 34 is turnable in the body 33 being turned or oscillated by the doors D or the door operating mechanism. In the preferred construction the piston 34 is integral and includes a shaft or stem 6| and the two wings W projecting l radially from the stem 6|. The stem 6| extends through a central longitudinal opening 62 in the part 42 and turnably engages the inner ends of the partitions 41. The stem 6| extends centrally through the bushing 46 to have its inner end at the inner wall 46 of the body. A Socket 63 in the inner end cf the stem 6| receives a` central boss 64 on the bottom wall 40 which serves as a centralizer and bearing for the inner end of the piston 34. The stem 6I of the piston extends outwardly to project beyond the outer end of the body 33. Packing means is provided in the part 42 to seal about the piston stem 6|. In practice a suitable packing gland 65 may be provided in the outer portion of the opening 62 to seal about the stem 6|. An annular groove 66 may be provided in the wall of the opening 62 to carry liquid for lubrieating the stem and for forming a-liquid seal about the stem. A port 61 may place the groove 66 in communication with the reservoir R. In accordance with the invention the piston stem 6| is tubular having a central longitudinal opening 68' extending through it f rom the socket 63 to its outer end.. The opening 66 contains the principal parts of the valve means 36 to be hereinafter described.

'Ihe wings W of the piston 34 project radially from the stem 6| to operate or move in the chambers C. The inner ends of the'wings W slidably bear on and seal'against the bottom walls of the chambers C and their outer ends cooperate with ythe valve disc of the means 31 to be hereinafter described. The wings W are diametrically opposite and their peripheral surfaces are cylindrically convex to have accurate sliding cooperation with the outer or peripheral walls of the chambers C. The peripheral portions of the wings W may be broadened to have Vrather extensivesliding cooperation with the walls of the chambers. The wings'W are movable between positions such as illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 of theA drawings.

The means 35 is provided to connect the wing piston 34 with a door D or with an element of the door operating mechanism or with a part otherwise associated with the door D to be moved thereby. The means 35 therefore may be varied according to the installation and the manner of associating the unit 30 with the doors D or with the door operating mechanism. The invention, however, contemplates a means 35 that is adjustable to properly set and relate the check unit 30 with the doors D.

The particular means 35 illustrated in the drawings includes a lever or arm 69 connected with the projecting end portion of the piston stem 6|. The projecting portion of the stem 6| is polygonal or square and the arm 63 has a correspondingly shaped opening 1D receiving the square portion of the stem. The arm 69 is split having a slot 1| in its end communicating with the opening 10. A clamp screw 12 is arranged through openings in the split or separated portions of the arm 69 to clamp the arm onto the polygonal por--l tion of the stem 6|. The screw 12 may be threaded in the opening in one portion of the split arm 69 and may have a head engaging against the other portion of the arm. The corners of the polygonal portion of the stem 6| are provided with notches 13. The screw 12 is adapted to cooperate with one ofthese notches 13 to prevent longitudinal displacement of the arm 69 from the stem 6|. It will be noted that the arm 69 may be arranged on the stem and secured thereto to project in any selected direction from the stem. This is important as it allows the unit 30 to be arranged or mounted in various positions relative to the door operating mechanism or the doors D.

In the application or installation illustrated the means 35 includes an adjustable link 14 connecting the arm 69 `of the unit 36 with the lever I8 of the door operating mechanism. The link 14 is provided at one end with a yoke or clevis 15 pivotally connected with the lever I8 and is provided at its other end with a similar clevis 16 pivotally connected with the arm 69 of the unit 30. The link 14 is threadedly connected with the clevises and 16 and may be locked in adjusted position by nuts 11. It will be apparent how the effective length of the link 14 may be varied by loosening the nuts 11V and threading it relative to the clevises 15 and 16. Variation in the length of the link 14 of course changed the rotative position of the piston 34 relative to the lever I8 and the doors D and the link may be adjusted to obtain the proper setting of the wing piston with relation to the ports of the means 31. In the installation illustrated movementof the lever I8 accompanying or causing opening of the doors D causes turning of the arm 69 and the wing piston 34 in the clock-wise direction indicated by the arrows A in Figs. 2 and 8 while movement of the levers I8 accompanying or causing closing of the doors D effects turning of the .arm 69 and the piston v34 in the counter-clockwise direction. y

The means 35 of course operatively associates the arm 69 of the check lunit 3 with the doors D or the door operating mechanism. It is to be understood that the arm 69 and the means connecting the arm 69 with the piston stem 6| may be identical in both units 30 and 3|. In the arrangement illustrated the means 35 serves to connect the units 38 and 3| in tandem, it being understood that'the two units may be independently associated with the doors D or with diierent elements of the door operating mechanism, if desired.

A link 18 operatively connects the arm 69 of the unit 3| with the arm 69 of the unit 30. The link 18 is provided at one end .with a clevis 19 pivotally connected with the arm 69 of the Aunit 3| and is provided at its other end with a similar clevis pivotally connected with the arm 69 of theunit 30. The link 18v is threadedly connected with the clevises 19 and 10 to be longitudinally adjustable and nuts 8| are provided to set or lock the clevises in adjusted position. The effective length of the linkv 18 may be readily adjusted to obtain the proper setting of the piston 34'of the unit v3| relative to the ports of the means 31, the doors D and the operating mechanism for the doors. It will be observedV that the link 14. and the arm 68 of the unit 3D connected with the lever I8 as described above in effect constitute parts on or continuations of the door operating mechanism so that the link 19 may be considered as operatively connecting the arm 69 of the unit 3| with the lever I8. If desired the link 18 may be of sufcient length to extend to the lever I8 to be pivotally connected therewith instead of being connected with the arm 69 of the unit 30 as illustrated.

The regulable Valve means 36 serves to control the by-passing of uid from the high pressure sides of the wings W to the low pressure sides of the wings during the active or movement resisting stroke of the wings, whichin the case of the unit 38 is in a clock-wise direction indicated by the arrows A. The valve means 36 is normally constant or uniform in its action but is regulable or adjustable to offer any desired resistance to the by-pass of fluid around the wings W and, therefore, to offer vany selected resistance to movement of the wings W. 'I'he regulable Valve means 36 operates to automatically relieve very high pressures that may suddenly develop in the chambers C in front of the wings W.

In accordance with the invention the valve means 36 includes a valve stem or valve body 82 arranged longitudinally in the opening 68 in the piston stem 6|. The Valve body 82 extends through the opening 68 with substantial clearance to leave an annular fluid space in the opening. The valve body 82 extends outwardly from the socket 63 to a point some distance from the outer end of the stem 6 I. A longitudinal opening or port 83 enters the valve body 82 from its inner end where it has communication with the socket 63. Two longitudinally spaced ports 84 and 85 are provided in the valve body 82 to communicate with its opening 83. The ports 84 and 85 are in the form of notches cut in the valve body 82 in adjacent relation. The mouths of the ports 84 and 85 may extend for slightly less than 180 at the periphery of the body 82 and may occupy the same rotative position on the body.

The regulable valve means 36 further includes a Valve head 86 cooperating with the valve body 82 to control the port 84 and a high pressure relief valve 81 cooperating with the valve body 82 to control the port 85. The head 86 is a tubular part surrounding and turnably receiving the inner portion of the valve body 82. The Valve head 66 has a flange 88 received in a recess 89 in the bottom wall of the socket 63. The head 86 is locked against movement relative to the turnable piston 34 by a lip 90 which is peened or rolled against its end face as best illustrated in Fig. 3. A split ring 822L may be sprung into a groove in the valve body 82 to engage against the inner end of the head 86. The head 86 has a second flange 9| tting the'opening 68 and located in a plane between the spaced parts 84 and 85 in the valve body 82. An annular groove 92 is provided in the valve head 86 between the flanges 88 and 9|. One or more notches 93 are provided in the flange 9| to place the groove 92 in communication with the opening 68. A port 94 is provided in the head 86 to place the groove 92 in communication with the port 84 in the valve body 82. The port'94 has a limited fluid capacity and may be in the form of a relatively narrow transverse slot as illustrated. The restricted port 94 may be of the same circumferential extent as the port 84. In accordance with the invention the piston 34 is ported to place the socket 63 and, therefore, thev ports 84 and 85 of the valve body 82, in communication with the high pressure portions of the chambers C in front of the wings and to put the groove 92 of the Valve head 86 in communication with the low pressure portions of the chamber C behind the wings. Two diametrically opposite substantially radial ports 95 are provided in the piston stern 6| and extend outwardly from the socket 63 to the periphery of the stem. The inner ends of the ports 95 communicate with the socket 63 and, therefore, have communication with the port 83 and the ports 84 and 85. The outer ends of the ports 95 communicate with the chambers C immediately adjacent the forward sides of the wings W relative to the direction indicated by the arrows A. In practice grooves 96 may be provided in the forward sides of the wings W to communicate with the ports 95 to maintain extensive communication between the ports and the chambers C whenthe forward sides of the wings W approach the partitions 41.

The piston stern 6| is also provided with two diametrically opposite ports 91 which extend outwardly from the opening 68 to the periphery of the stem. 'I'he inner ends of the openings 91 may 'directly communicate with the groove 92 in the valve head 86. The outer ends of the ports 91 are at or immediately adjacent the rear sides of the wings W relative to the direction of movement indicated by the arrows A. Grooves 98 may be provided in the rear sides of the Wings W to communicate with the outer ends of the ports 91 to assure suicient communication of the ports with the chambers C when the rear sides of the wings approach the partitions 41. It will be apparent that the ports 95 place ports 84 and 85 in communication with the high pressure portions of the chamber C in front of the wings W while the ports 91 place the groove 92 in communication with the low pressure portions of the chamber C behind the wings W. 1 Accordingly,

the relatively restricted port 94 serves to control the ow between the high and low pressure sides of the chambers C when the wings W move through the chambers in the clock-wise direction indicated by the arrows A. Accordingly, the flow retarding action and, therefore, the door movement retarding action of the means 36 may be varied by changing the fluid capacity or width of the port 94.

In accordance with the invention the valve body 82 is turnable relative to the valve head 86 to govern or vary the extent of communication of the port 84 with the port 94 and, therefore, govern the movement retarding action of the valve means 36. The means for adjusting or turning the valve body 82 to regulate the action of the valve means 36 may include a turnable stem 99 arranged longitudinally through the outer portion of the opening 68. 'I'he stem 99 may be grooved to carry a washer |00 and packing rings IOI are provided in the opening 68 at opposite sides of the rings |00. A gland |02 is threaded in the outer end of the opening 68 to compress the assembly of the packing IOI. A tongue |03 on the inner end of the stem 99 cooperates with a slot |04 in the outer end of the valve body 82 to transmit turning movement from the stem 99 to the valve body. An indicating finger |05 is provided to indicate the rotative position of the Valve body 82 and, therefore, indicate the setting of the port 84 relative to the port 94. The iinger |05 may be carried by a at sided plate |06 fixed to the projecting end of the stem 99. Y Shoulders |01 may be provided on the outer end of the piston stem 6|. Theshoulders |01 are engageable by the inger |05 to limit turning of the stem 99 and the valve body 82. As illustrated throughout the drawings the finger |05 is in an intermediate position where the port 84 has approximately one half of its circumferential length in communication with the port 94; This relationship between the ports 84 and 85 is best illustrated in Fig. 2. The nger |05 may be turned to position the port 84 to have full communication with the port 94 and thereby allow relatively free flow past or around the wings W so that the means 36 offers a lesser retarding action. The finger |05 may be moved to the other extreme position Where the port 84 is out off or substantially cut oif from the port 94 so that there is an extremely limited ow through the ports and, therefore, a very high resistance to movement of the wings W in the chambers C.

The relief valve 81 is provided to automatically increase the extent of. communication between the longitudinal port 83 of the valve body 82 and the groove 92 in the event that high pressures suddenly develop during any portion of the doorchecking stroke of the piston 34. The automatic relief valve 81 is a tubular member slidable on the valve body 82. The valve 81 has one end bearing on the outer end of the valve head 86 and is positioned to surround or cover the port 85 in the valve body. A spring ||0 is arranged under compression between a shoulder I I I on the valve 81 and a washer I I2 iixed to the valve body 82 to yieldingly hold the inner end of the valve 81 in sealing engagement with the valve head 86.- An annular internal groove I|3 is provided in the reliefvalve 81. The groove ||3 has communication with the port 85. The outer end wall of the groove II3 forms a face or shoulder against which fluid pressure acts tending to move or slide the valve 81 outwardly on the 1 valve body 82. In the event that a high pressure suddenly develops in the chambers D in front of the wings W a corresponding pressure, of course, immediately develops in the groove I|3 and this pressure acts on the wall of the groove to slide or shift the valve 81 outwardly on the valve body'82. Such outward movement of the valve 81 places the groove |I3 in communication with the opening 68 and, therefore, materially increases the extent of communication of the port 83 with the groove 82 and the ports 91. Thus the valve 81 is operable to automatically relieve excessively high pressures that may develop in the chambers C in front of the Wings W. The spring I I0 automatically returns the valve 81 to its normal closed position when the pressures are reduced to within the normal working range and normally holds the valve 81 in its closed position.

The means 31 for by-passing iiuid around or past the wings W of the piston 34 is an important feature of the invention. The means 31 acts in conjunction with the above described means 36 and serves to allow the relatively free flow of uid past the wings W during the initial portions of their movement in the direction indicated by the arrows A, to allow a gradually lessening flow past the wings during the intermediate portions of their movement, and to allow little or no flow past the wings W as they approach their nal phases of movement, thereby providing for a relatively rapid initial door movement, a progressively slower intermediate door movement, and a very slow third stage door movement.

The means 31 is' characterized by its simplicityV and may comprise a single integral valve disc II4 arranged within the body 33 between the outer end of the bushing 46 and the inner end of the part 42. The disc I I4 is positioned to constitute a wall at the outer ends of the chambers C and to be slidably engageable by the outer ends of the piston wings W. Ports I|5F- are provided in the valve disc I|4 to communicate with the above described replenishing ports 56. '.I'he disc I I4 isalso provided with an opening II 6a receiving the pin 48 which projects from the outer end of the bushing 46. The pin 48 cooperating with the opening ||6a serves to definitely position the valve disc |I4. The valve disc I I4 may be a plain, flat disc slightly smaller in diameter than the opening in the body 33. The clearance space around the valve disc II 4 maintains communication Vbetween the ports 58, 59 and 60.

In accordance with the invention the disc 4 has the openings or slots |I5 which constitute by-pass ports. In practice there may be two ports I |5 one for communication with each chamber C. The positions or relations of the by-pass ports ||5 with respect to the chambers C are identical and the size andshape ofthe ports are identical. The ports I5 are of substantial length to have their rear ends adjacent the rear walls of the chambers C and to have their forward ends spaced a'short distance from the forward ends of the chambers. The wings W control the by-pass ports I|5, that is, the wings extend across the ports to separate the parts ofthe ports that communicate with the high and low pressure sides of the chambers C. The shape and, therefore, the fluid capacity of the ports I I5 may be varied to produce any desired by-passing effect. y

In the application of the invention illustrated theports H each have a rear portion ||6 of substantial width. The portions H6 may be of uniform width and, therefore, of uniform fluid capacity. The rear portions H6 of the by-pass ports H5 are located to be partially covered by the wings W when the wings are at or adjacent the rear ends of their strokes, as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 8. With the wings in this position the rear end parts of the large port portions H6 are uncovered to the rear portions or low pressure portions of the chambers C. As the wings W move from this position progressively greater amounts of the port portions H6 are uncovered to the low pressure portions of the chambers C. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated the' by-passV ports H5 each have a tapered intermediate portion II'I. The intermediate portions III of the by-pass ports are relatively long to be controlled by the wings W during the maj or intermediate parts of their movements. The rear ends of the port portions I I'I may be of the same width as the rear portions H6 while their forward ends are relatively narrow. This forward reduction in capacity of the port portions H1 is preferably gradual, that is, the portions II'I are of increasingly less width as they continue forwardly relative to the direction of the arrows A. The by-pass ports H5 further include reduced forward end portions H8. The port portions I I8 are porportioned to permit a very limited by-pass of fluid around the wings W between the high pressure and low pressure portions of the chambers C. In practice these reduced forward portions I I8 of the by-pass ports may be graduated in width or capacity to have extremely narrow forward end parts. The by-pass ports H5 are located in the valve. disc H4 to be governed by the straight sides of the wings W.

It is believed that it will be apparent how the rear portions H6 of the by-pass ports operate to by-pass a substantial volume of iiuid around the wings W during the initial movements of the Wings in the direction indicated by the arrows A to allow a relatively rapid door movement. The intermediate portions I II of the by-pass ports are shaped to by-pass increasingly smaller volumes of fluid around the wings W as the wings move through the intermediate portions of their stroke to effect a gradual reduction in the rate of movement'of the doors D. The reduced and graduated forward portions H8 of the by-pass ports H5 are proportioned to by-pass quite limited volumes of fluid between the high pressure and low pressure portions of the chamber C as the wings W approach their final positions to cause a marked reduction in the speed of the doors D as they approach their nal positions. The wings W may, of course, continue to move after cutting off the reduced forward portions I I8 of the ports I I5 in which case the means 36 forms the sole means for by-passing fluid between the high and low pressure portions of the chambers C.

The means 38 is provided to allow the free by-pass of fluid through the wings W during movement of the wings in a direction counter to thearrows A. The by-pass means 38 is in the nature of a check valve means and includes a port |20 in each wing W and a ball check valve I2| in each port |20. 'I'he ports |20 connect the high pressure and low pressure portions of the chambers C. Seats |22 are provided on the walls of the portsV |20 and the valves |2| are adapted to engage against the seats. Cages or pins |23 are provided to prevent the loss or escape of the valves |2| from the ports |20. The balls or valves alsaem' Aof the wings W in the direction counter to the arrows A.

The units 30 and 3| may be identical. However, when they are connected with the door operating mechanism in the manner illustrated the unit 30 controls or checks opening movement of the doors D while the unit 3| checks or controls closing movement of the doors. Thus the unit 30 checks or controls the clock-vvise turning of its arm 69 while the unit 3| controls or checks the counter-clock-Wise movement of its arm 69. The unit 3| may be identical with the above described unit 30 except that the valves of the means 38 face or seat in the opposite direction, the ports 95 and 91 are reversed in position and the oy-pass ports H5 are reversed in position relative to the chambers C. 'Ihe valve disc H4 of the unit 3| may be identical with the valve disc H4 of the unit 30 except that it is turned side for side to effect a reversal of position of its ports H5. The operation of the two units 30 and 3| is the same except that one checks door movement in one direction and the other checks door movement in the opposite direction.Y Accordingly, I will describe the operation of the unit 30 illustrated in detail in the drawings and will then describe the manner in which the checks or units 30 and 3| control the doors D.

In operation let it be assumed that the arm 69 of the unit 30 is in the position where the wings W are in the positions illustrated in Figs. 2 and 8. Upon opening of the doors D, the lever I8 through the medium of the link I4 swings the arm 69 in clock-wise direction. This, of course, moves the wings W in the direction indicated by the arrows A. During this movement of the Wings W the fluid or liquid in the chambers C in front of the wings is, of course, subjected to compression. The fluid under pressure in front of the moving wings W escapes through the ports 95 into the socket 63 and then passes through the ports 83, 84, 94 and 91 to flow into the low pressure portions of the chambers behind the wings W. As described above the port 94 is restricted and serves to control or retard this flow of fiuid from the high pressure to the low pressure sides of the chambers C. 'I'he valve body 82 may be set in any selected rotative position by means of the finger |05 so that its port 84 has only partial communication with the control port 94. In this case the by-pass fiow of fluid from the high pressure sides of the chambers is further retarded or controlled. Thus the means 36 serves to offer a uniform but regulable resistance to the by-pass of fluid between the high and low pressure portions of the chambers C and thus operates to restrain the movement of the doors D.

When the wings W start to move in the direction indicated by the arrows A from their initial positions progressively greater parts of the rear portions H6 of ports H5 communicate with the low pressure sides ofthe chambers C and the wings W move forwardly over the port portions II'I which are of gradually diminishing fiuid capacity. 'I 'hus the ports H5 may allow a relatively free by-pass of fluid from the high pressure sides of the chambers C at the lstart of the wing movement and progressively smaller volumes of uid as the wings move forwardly. The lay-passing of substantial volumes of fluid around the wings W during the initial stage of their movement of course allows a relatively rapid movement of the Wings W and a correspondingly rapid movement of the doors D. As the wings W continue to move forwardly they move across the gradually diminishing portions II'I of the bypass ports II5 so that gradually diminishing amounts of fluid are by-passed around the wings W. Accordingly, the movement of the wings W is gradually retarded and the movement of the doors D is gradually reduced. .Thus by the time the wings W approach the final portions of their movements they may be moving at a relatively slow rate. When the wings W move across the reduced forward portions I I 8 of the by-pass ports II5 quite limited Volumes of fluid are allowed to pass around the Wings W through said ports so that an increasingly high pressure builds up in the forward portions of the chambers C to retard movement of the wings W and the doors D.'

When the forward sides of the wings W pass the forward ends of the by-pass ports H5 the ports are, of course, cut olf from the high pressure portions of the chambers C and there is no further by-pass of fluid through these ports. This, of course, further reduces the rate of movement of the wings W resulting in an increase in pressure in the high pressure portions of the chambers C. As the wings W continue to move forwardly after passing the forward ends of the ports I I5 the valve means' 36 forms the sole means for by-passing fluid around or past the wings W. Accordingly, as the means 36 is operable to permit only a limited by-pass of fluid the final movements of the wings W are greatly restrained to produce a very slow final door move'- ment.

When the arm 69 of` the unit 30 is turned in a direction counter to the arrows A during closing movement of the doors D the piston wings W are moved in the counterclockwise direction in 'the chambers C'. During this movement of the wings W the valves I2I open to allow the relatively free passage of fluid through the ports |20 and, therefore, allow free or unrestrained movement of the wings W and relatively free movement of the doors D. Fluid may also flow through the means 36 and 31 during the door closing movement.

In the arrangement or installation illustrated', the units 30 and 3I face in the same direction and are connected in tandem, that is, the arms 69 of the two units are both connected with the lever I8 by the link 14. Because of this arrangement the unit 30 is operable to .control or restrain opening movement of the doors D' andthe unit 3| is operable to control or restrain closing movement ofthe doors D. The operation of the check unit 3|] has been described above. The operation of the unit 3| is similar or identical except that its parts are related so'that it restrains or controls the turning of its wings W in the counter-clockwise 'direction and, therefore, controls the closing movement of the dors D.

It is apparent that the'units 3U and 3I may be individually or independently adjusted and regulated to effect the desired regulation of both the opening and closing movements of the doors D. The regulable valve means 36`of theunits may be set or adjusted to provide for any selected rate of by-'passing the fluid around or past the wings W during the active strokes of the Wings, while the ports II5in the valve discs `II4 may be shaped fand proportioned to provide for any desired rate of Icy-passing of fluid past the wings W during the initial and intermediate phases of movement of the wings W and during the movement of the wings as they approach their final positions. In this regard it is to be noted that the ports II5 may be formed to by-pass the fluid in a manner to provide for a relatively rapid initial movement of the doors, a gradually lessening movement of the doors during their intermediate movements, and a slower movement of the doors as they approach their final positions. With the ports 2 I 5 formed as illustrated, the final movements of the doors D are controlled by the valve means 36, that is, the ports II5 are cut off during the nal movements of the doors so that a high pressure develops in front of the wings and is only relieved by the passage of iiuid through the means 36. As the means 36 is adjustable or regulable the iinal movements of the doors D may be adjusted as desired.

The control or system of the invention includes the two independently regulable and adjustable units 30 and 3I which may be independently set to provide for the desired control of both the opening and closing movements of the doors D. Thus in theA installation illustrated, where the doors D are operated in both directions by a positive power means, the units 30 and 3I may be adjusted to permit a rapid opening of the doors and a slow closing of the doors or vice versa. In other installations where the movement of the doors in one direction is effected by a spring means of fading strength, one ofthe units 30 or 3| may be regulated to compensate for this action of the spring means and provide for the desired movement of the doors D. It will be noted that the units 30 and 3| are relatively small so that they may be installed in situations where there is limited space and clearance. Further, the two units 30 and 3I `being independently adjustable are capable of independent con'- nection with the doors D or the door operating mechanisms and may be separately mounted in any convenient locations. The units 30 and 3| are such that they may be mounted to have their arms 69 project in variousV directions and their arms 69 may be set in various rotative positions with respect to the'wings W. The attachment of the arms 39 to the square or polygonal portions of the piston stem 6I provides for this regulation or setting of the arms 69.

Where the units 3i! and 3I' are separately or independently mounted or where thev units 30 and 3| are connected with different elements of the door operating mechanism they may be identical and yet control both the opening and closing movements of the doors. For example, in the door operating mechanism illustrated, one unit may have its arm 69 connected with the lever 22 at one side of its pivotal axis while the arm- 69 of the other unit may be connected with the lever 22 at the other side of its axis. In such an installation the two units 30 and 3I may be identical and yet control both the opening and closingniovements ofthe doors. v

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, I' do not wish to-be limited or restricted to'the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled inthe art or fall within'the scope lof the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

' 1. Ina door operating mechanism, a member `movable in opposite directions, a unit connected with the member governing the speed of its movement in one direction and checking its lflnal .movement to the end of its stroke in said direction, and a unit connected with the member to govern the speed of its movement in the 'other direction and operating to check its `final movement to the end of its stroke in said other `direction.

2. vIn a door operating mechanism, a member movable in opposite directions, a unit con- -nected with the member governing the speed of its movement throughout the major portion of its travel in one direction and checking its nal movement to the end of its stroke in said direction, and a unit connected with the member to govern the speed of its movement throughout the major portion of its travel in the other direction and operating to check its movement at the end of its stroke in said other direction, each unit including regulable means.

3. A control for controlling a door system, having a part associated with a door to move in opposite directions, said control including, a unit connected with said part and operable to restrain its movement in one direction during opening movement of the door, and a separate unit connected with said part and operable to restrain its movement in the other direction during closing movement of the door, each of said units including regulable means operable to restrain movement of said part in one direction during a flnal phase of movement of the door.

4. A control for controlling a door system, having a part associated with a door to move in opposite directions, said control including, a unit connected with said part and operable to restrain its movement in one direction, and a separate unit connected with said part and operable to restrain its movement in the other direction, each of said units including means offering substantially uniform resistance to movement of said part in one direction throughout its entire range of movement in said direction, and means offering resistances of diiferent magnitudes to movement of said part in the same direction during different phases of its movement.

5. A control for controlling a door system, having a part associated with a door to move in opposite directions, said control including, a unit connected with said part and operable to restrain its movement in one direction, and a separate unit connected with said part and operable to restrain its movement in the other direction, each of said units including a body having a chamber, a piston movable in said chamber and connected with said part, regulable means for by-passing uid past the piston during movement of the same in one direction to offer substantially uniform resistance to movement of the piston throughout its entire movement in said direction, and means for by-passing fluid through the piston during its movement in the other direction.

6. A control for controlling a door system, having a part associated with a door to move 1n opposite directions, said control including, a unit connected with said part and operable to restrain its movement in one direction, and a separate unit connected with said part and operable to restrain its movement in the other direction, each of said units including a body having a chamber, a piston movable in said chamber and connected with said part, means for by-passng fluid past the piston in varying quantities during movement of the sainein one direction 'to voffer .different degrees of resistance to movement of the piston during different .portions of the stroke, and valve means on the piston for freely passing fluid through the piston during movement of the same in the opposite direction.

7. A control for controlling a door system, having a part associated with a door to move in opposite directions, said control including, a unit connected with said part and operable to restrain its movement in one direction, and a separate unit connected with said part and operable to restrain its movement in the other direction, each of said units including a body having two chambers, a piston movable in each of said chambers and connected with said part, means for by-passing uid past the pistons during movement of the same in one direction to offer a substantially uniform resistance to their movement, means for by-passing uid past the pistons in different amounts during different portions of their movement in said direction to offer different degrees of resistance to their movement during said portions of their stroke, and valve means for by-passing fluid through the pistons during movement of the pistons in the other direction.

8. A control for controlling a door system, having a part associated with a door to move in opposite directions, said control including, a unit connected with said part and operable to restrain its movement in one direction, and a separate unit connected with said part and operable to restrain its movement in the other direction, each of said units including a body having a chamber, a piston movable in said chamber and connected with said part, means for by-passing fluid past the piston to offer a substantially uniform resistance to its movement throughout movement of the piston in one direction, means for regulating the rst mentioned means, means for bypassing fluid past the piston in different amounts during diierent portions of its stroke in said direction to offer different degrees of resistance to its movement during said portions of its stroke, and means for freely by-passing fluid through the piston during its movement in the other direction.

9. A control for controlling a door system, having a part associated with a door to move in opposite directions, said control including, a unit connected with said part and operable to restrain its movement in one'direction, and a separate unit connected with said part and operable to restrain its movement vin the other direction, each of said units including two elements one being movable relative tothe other, one of said elements being a body having a chamber, the other element being a piston in the chamber, regulable means for by-passing fluid past the piston to offer resistance to relative movement between the elements in one direction, valve means on the piston for freely passing uid through the piston during relative movement between the elements in the other direction, and separately adjustable means for connecting the movable elements of the units with said part.

10. A control for controlling a door system, having a part associated with a door to move in oppositeV directions, said control including, a unit connected with said Vpart and operable to restrain its movement in one direction, and a separate unit connected with said part and operable to restrain its movement in the other direction, each of said units including two elements one `being movable relative to the other, one of said elements being a body having a chamber, the other element being a piston in the chamber, regulable means for by-passing fluid past the piston throughout relative movementl between the elements in one direction to offer a substantially uniform resistance to said movement, and means for by-passing fluid past the piston in different quantities during the different phases of said relative movement, and independently adjustable means operatively connecting the movable elements of the units with said part.

11. In a door control of the character described, two elements related for relative turning movement, one a body having a fluid chamber, the other a piston in the chamber, means for by-passing fluid past the piston during relative movement between the elements in one direction to offer substantially uniform resistance to said movement, and means for by-passing uid past the piston in diminishing amounts during a substantial phase of said relative movement to offer increasing resistance to said movement.

12. In a door control of the character described, two elements related for relative turning movement, one a body having a fluid chamber, the other a piston in the chamber, and means for by-passing fluid past the piston in diminishing amounts during a substantial portion of the relative movement between the elements in one direction to offer increasing resistance to said movement. v

13. In a door control of the character described, two elements related for relative turning movement, one a body having a fluid chamber, the other a piston in the chamber, means for by-passing fluid past the piston in diminishing amounts during a substantial portion of the relative movement between the elements in one direction to offer increasing resistance to said movement, and means providing for relatively free passage of fluid between the opposite sides of the piston during relative movement between the elements in the opposite direction.

14. In a door control of the character described, two elements related for relative turning movement, one a body having a fluid chamber, the other a piston in the chamber, means for bypassing fluid past the piston during relative movement between the elements in one direction to offer substantially uniform resistance to said movement, said means including a regulable valve operable to vary the rate of such by-passing of fluid, and means for b-y-passing fluid past the piston in diminishing amounts during a substantial phase of said relative movement to offer increasing resistance to said movement.

15. In a door control of the character described, two elements related for relative turning movement, one a body having a fluid chamber, the other a piston in the chamber, means for bypassing fluid past the piston during relative movement between the elements in one direction to offer substantially uniform resistance to sa1d movement, and means for by-passing fluid past the piston in diminishing amounts during a substantial phase of said relative movement to oier increasing resistance to said movement, the last mentioned means including a valve part having a port controlled by the piston.

16. In a door control of the character described, two elements related for relative turning movement, one a body having a fluid chamber, the other a piston in the chamber, means for by-passing fluid past the piston during relative movement between the elements in one direction -to oier substantially uniform resistance to said movement, said means including a relief Valve operable to increase the rate of such by-pass of fluid if high pressures develop in front of the piston, and means for by-passing fluid past the piston in diminishing amounts during a substantial phase of said relative movement to offer increasing resistance to said movement.

17. In a door control of the character described, two elements related for relative turning movement, one a body having a fluid chamber, the other a piston in the chamber, and means for by-passing fluid past the piston in diminishing amounts during the succeeding stages of relative movement between the elements 1n one direction to effect a relatively rapid initial stage of movement, a slower intermediate stage of movement, a still slower third stage of movement, and a still slower final stage of movement.

18. In a door control of the character described, two elements related for relative turning movement, one a body partitioned to have two fluid chambers, the other a piston having a wing operable in each chamber, means operatively connecting one element with a part of the door system, and a valve disc in the body extending across an end of each chamber, said disc having ports controlled by the wings for bypassing fluid past the wings during relative movement between the elements.

GEORGE W. GARDINER. 

